How Eye-Tracking Technology Supports Concussion and Brain-Injury Screening

Author : Robert Smith | Published On : 17 Sep 2026

A concussion can affect more than memory or balance. It may also change how the brain controls eye movement, visual attention and the ability to follow moving objects. These changes are not always obvious during an ordinary vision check, which is why objective eye-tracking technology is increasingly being used as one part of concussion and brain-injury screening.

Eye-tracking assessments do not diagnose a concussion by themselves. They provide additional information that healthcare professionals can consider alongside symptoms, medical history, neurological examinations and other appropriate tests.

Why Eye Movements Provide Information About Brain Function

Moving the eyes may feel automatic, but it requires communication between several parts of the brain. These systems work together to direct attention, maintain focus, follow movement and coordinate the eyes with the head and body.

A concussion or traumatic brain injury can disrupt this coordination. Some people develop difficulty reading, following a moving object, shifting their gaze or maintaining visual focus. Others experience headaches, dizziness, light sensitivity, blurred vision or problems with balance.

Because eye movement depends on several interconnected neurological pathways, measuring how the eyes respond to visual tasks can provide useful information about how those systems are functioning.

What Does an Eye-Tracking Assessment Measure?

During an eye-tracking test, specialized sensors record where and how a person looks at images or prompts displayed on a screen. The technology can capture movements that may be too fast or subtle to assess consistently through observation alone.

The assessment may examine how smoothly the eyes follow a moving target, how quickly they shift from one point to another and whether both eyes coordinate effectively. It may also evaluate fixation, reaction time, visual attention and tracking performance during reading or other screen-based tasks.

The resulting data can help identify patterns that deserve further evaluation. It can also establish objective measurements that may be used to monitor changes over time.

An unusual result does not necessarily prove that a brain injury has occurred. Eye movement can also be influenced by existing vision problems, fatigue, medication, neurological conditions and a person’s ability to understand or complete the task. Results therefore need to be interpreted in context.

How Eye Tracking Fits into Concussion Screening

Concussions can present differently from one person to another. Symptoms may begin immediately or appear hours or days after the injury. They can affect physical comfort, concentration, mood, sleep, vision and balance.

Traditional concussion evaluation begins with the circumstances of the injury and the symptoms the person is experiencing. A healthcare professional may then assess vision, hearing, strength, sensation, coordination, balance, memory and concentration. The Mayo Clinic’s concussion guidance emphasizes that diagnosis can involve a combination of medical history, neurological examination, cognitive testing and, when appropriate, imaging.

Eye tracking adds another source of objective information. It may reveal difficulties with visual tracking, reaction or coordination that correspond with symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, reading problems or trouble concentrating.

Its value lies in helping create a more complete picture. It should not be used as a replacement for a medical examination or as the sole basis for clearing someone to return to work, school, sports or driving.

What Happens During RightEye Testing?

RightEye is a computer-based system that records and analyzes eye movement while a person follows prompts on a screen. The assessment is non-invasive and does not expose the patient to radiation or send electrical current into the body.

At Swanson Hyperbarics, RightEye is used as a short, interactive component of its concussion and brain-injury assessment services. The clinic describes the test as taking approximately 12 minutes.

During the assessment, the person sits in front of a screen and follows a series of visual instructions. Sensors monitor eye movements as different targets, patterns or tasks appear. The software then organizes the recorded information into measurements that can be reviewed with the patient’s symptoms and other assessment findings.

The test should not be painful. However, people experiencing light sensitivity, headaches, nausea or visual fatigue after a concussion should tell the provider before beginning. If symptoms increase during the assessment, the patient should communicate this immediately.

Creating an Objective Starting Point

One challenge in concussion care is that many symptoms are subjective. A patient can describe dizziness, blurred vision or difficulty reading, but it may be difficult to quantify how those symptoms affect visual performance.

Eye-tracking data can provide an objective starting point. If another assessment is completed later, the provider may be able to compare the results and determine whether particular measurements have changed.

This does not mean that a better score alone confirms recovery. Symptoms, daily functioning, clinical findings and medical judgment remain important. The data is most useful when it is considered as part of a broader assessment rather than treated as a standalone answer.

When Further Medical Evaluation Is Essential

Eye-tracking screening is intended for assessment and monitoring. It is not an emergency test and cannot rule out bleeding, swelling, a skull fracture or another serious injury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises seeking immediate emergency care after a head injury when danger signs appear. These can include a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness, numbness, slurred speech, unusual behavior, increasing confusion, loss of consciousness or difficulty waking the person.

A person with urgent symptoms should not wait for an eye-tracking appointment. Emergency medical assessment takes priority.

People with persistent but non-emergency symptoms should discuss them with an appropriate healthcare professional. Depending on the circumstances, evaluation may involve a physician, neurologist, optometrist, physical therapist or another qualified provider.

Supporting a More Complete Brain-Injury Assessment

The most useful concussion evaluations bring together several types of information. Symptoms reveal how the person feels, clinical examinations assess neurological function and objective tools can measure specific aspects of performance.

Eye-tracking technology contributes information about visual attention, tracking, reaction and coordination. When used responsibly, it can help providers investigate symptoms more thoroughly and monitor selected changes during recovery.

The technology does not replace professional judgment, medical imaging when indicated or the patient’s own experience. Its role is to add another measurable piece to a complex clinical picture.